Politically based arguments can’t change the truth. At worst, denying the obvious is harmful, as it can delay or reduce actions or behavioral changes that can help us deal with changing conditions.
Our climate is changing. At this point there is no need to debate who or what caused it or who’s responsible for fixing it; first we have to accept the fact that it’s occurring, and that it will have major effects on life in the Rio Grande Valley.
During the major drought that plagued south Texas and northern Mexico for almost the entire decade of the 1990s, climatologists already were saying that the dry conditions likely weren’t a unique event, but the beginnings of a permanent climatological change who which we needed to adjust. Mexico, whether or not motivated by such reports, acted by increasing construction of dams along the tributary rivers that feed the Rio Grande — enabling the country to hold back water to benefit its farmers and cities, and worsening its noncompliance with the 1944 treaty that directs it and the United States to maintain minimum water flows into the border river.
The Texas Tribune recently reported several ways climate change is evident in our state, including stronger hurricanes, rising sea levels and related issues such as a growing risk of disease even supplies of potable water decline.
Obviously, the threat of stronger storms makes it more important for residents in coastal areas like the Valley to be better prepared. Residents need to make sure their homes and businesses can withstand strong storms; they should keep staples such as canned goods, emergency supplies and evacuation plans updated; and make sure storm and flood insurance is current and adequate for the value of their property. Officials also need to ensure that drainage and other flood mitigation plans are maintained and ready for a storm.
Rising temperatures could affect our agricultural community, as many crops require certain temperature ranges to thrive and growers might have to switch to different products. Climate change can affect the number and migration of pollinating insects, further complicating farmers’ futures.
Speaking of migration, we can expect the high numbers of immigrants arriving at South Texas ports of entry to continue and even increase. Drought-related crop failures already are driving many people from South America and other areas to look for new homes, and worsening conditions will only increase such movement. Rising sea levels will add to immigration as the oceans claim current coastal areas.
Imagine, for example, rising seas to force people living in South Padre Island or Port Isabel to move further inland. They won’t be alone: 40% of the world’s population — some 2.4 billion people — live in coastal areas, and loss of that land will raise demand for inland properties, driving prices and costs up. More concentrated populations also will force localized increases in capacity for energy, water and other municipal services.
It’s not to soon to start asking such questions. Better preparation can reduce the effects of climate change, or even improve our lives if the change isn’t as severe as many fear.
